Mt Circeo promontory: nature and archeology

The association of nature, birdwatching and aercheologic treasures makes the Circeo promontory an interesting destination for an open-air day trip. Most of the Circeo headland is visible by car from the panoramic road reaching the ancient acropolis or the coastal road which leads to the Circeo lighthouse. Both roads do not suite large vehicles as they are narrow. On the sunny, warmer side of the headland facing the sea there are several rural paths which allow travellers to visit the wilder areas of the promontory. Nature and archaeology lovers wanting a more challenging excursion can climb to the Circeo Peak (541mt – 1775 feet). The main path starts near Torre Paola where there is a crossway between the coastal road and a smaller hillside road where travellers can take an off-road path. The path leads to the Circeo Peak offering an amazing view in every direction with the sea, le coastal lagoons with wetlands and the Pontine plain with the coast reaching Terracina and Gaeta.

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park

Among the birds the already mentioned like the wonderfull peregrine falcon and here nature lovers and bird watching fans will find good spots for observing some among the most common and interesting birds nesting or feeding on the Circeo promontory:

* woodcock (Scolopax rusticola),
* woodpigeon (Columba Palumbus),
* Stock Dove (Columba oenas),
* turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur),
* Cuckoo Cuculo (Cuculus Canorus),
* green woodpecker (Picus viridis),
* Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major),
* Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor )
* ever present Eurasian Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus)
* imposing local Buzzard (Buteo Buteo),
* little owl (Athene noctua),
* tawny owl (Strix aluco ),
* barn owl (Tyto alba),
* honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus),
* swallow (Hirundo rustica),
* pallid swift (Apus pallidus),

            Click on Photos to see the photografies of the Park

* blue rock thrush (Monticola Solitarius),
* Sardinian warbler (Sylvia melanocephala),
* dartford warbler (Sylvia undata),
* house martin (Delicon urbicum),
* sand martin (Riparia riparia),
* Great Grey Shrike (Lanius excubitor),
* Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio),
* Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis),
* Eurasian Jay (Garrulous glandarius),
* linnet (Carduelis cannabina),

* Quail (Coturnix coturnix),
* Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus),
* Sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus),
* Scopoli’s Shearwaters (Calonecris diomedea),
* Audouin’s Gulls (Larus audouinii),
* Garganey (Anas querquedula),
* Europeus Serins (Serinus serinus),
* odd Italian Sparrow (Passer domesticus italiae),
* Slender-billed Gulls (Larus genei),
* Great-crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus ),
* Western Yellow-legged Gulls (Larus cachinnans michahellis),
* Yelkouan Shearwaters ((Puffinus yelkouan)

and again we have to stop as it is not possible to mention all of them! The excursion requires some attention in specific points and do not forget your Italian pack lunch and a large flask of water to face the sunny promontory.